Will Mazda Face Buyer Backlash for the 2026 CX-5's Touchscreen Controls?
Will Mazda Face Buyer Backlash for the 2026 CX-5's Touchscreen Controls? originally appeared on Autoblog.
The new CX-5's interior tech pivots hard
Mazda’s redesigned 2026 CX-5 is undoubtedly attractive, but it isn’t exactly a dramatic change, the way the fifth-generation Hyundai Santa Fe was when it debuted in 2024. Yes, the 2025 CX-5 is bigger, especially between the wheels where it counts most, but its sheet metal is largely evolutionary, coupled with a fresh face and tail, slab doors like the CX-70/90, and a stronger resemblance to the rest of the brand’s SUV lineup.
The cabin has been redone in excellent Mazda fashion, and the changes are more significant inside than outside. Materials quality and refinement both have improved, on top of what was already one of the best interiors in its class. The biggest change, however, might not be perceived as an improvement. The new infotainment touchscreen (12.9-inch standard, 15.6-inch optional) now incorporates climate and audio functions, replacing the excellent physical controls for which Mazda has been known. Will there be a sales backlash from would-be buyers of the new CX-5?
Infotainment details
2026 Mazda CX-5MazdaThe optional 15.6-inch center infotainment touchscreen is the biggest one ever fitted into a Mazda. The last CX-5’s screen was a rather small 10.2 inches, so even the change to the standard 12.9-inch screen is a marked improvement. The new system is now Google-based rather than being a proprietary Mazda operating system, which was criticized as being overly simplistic and dated in its appearance. In addition to built-in Google Maps, the new system will utilize Google Assistant for voice commands, providing improved accuracy and a better user experience. Owners will also have access to the Google Play Store for car-friendly apps.
A controversial change
2026 Mazda CX-5MazdaMazda owners, by and large, love the physical controls in their vehicles. My family owns two Mazda vehicles, and one of the reasons we chose our Mazda6 and CX-9 was because of their excellent switchgear. Mazda’s physical controls are attractive, well-made, and easy to operate. The physical audio, infotainment, and climate controls from the 2025 CX-5 are nowhere to be seen in the 2026 CX-5. Their absence has already sparked controversy, not because on-screen controls are uncommon in the industry, but because Mazda has had a longstanding reputation for tactile, driver-focused interiors and controls. While some may view this as a necessary evolution to keep pace with tech-savvy competitors, others, especially brand loyalists, may view this as a move in the wrong direction.
2025 Mazda CX-5MazdaThe 2025 CX-5’s climate controls consisted of two knurled metallic knobs that flanked a digital screen. Above and below the screen were two rows of buttons. It was one of the easiest systems to use while driving, and none of the controls utilized haptic feedback. Its Commander rotary control knob between the seats made a touchscreen unnecessary since you could rotate, toggle, and press it to find and activate functions. The learning curve was easy, and you could operate the system quickly and easily. The Commander control knob is no longer available on the 2026 model, and only three physical buttons remain on the center stack for defrost, defog, and hazard lights. Instead of a central rotary knob, everything from audio settings to climate control is now managed through the center screen. It seems anti-Mazda, frankly.
The potential backlash
2026 Mazda CX-5Mazda Mazda’s previous infotainment systems disabled touchscreen inputs while driving as a safety precaution, relying instead on the rotary controller and steering wheel controls. On some models, you could use a touchscreen only while phone mirroring. With the controller now removed in the 2026 model, only being able to use the touchscreen when parked could frustrate drivers who are forced to rely on voice commands or complex menus while in motion. Again, this seems at odds with Mazda’s driver-centric cabins. Forums are already rife with criticisms from current Mazda owners who refuse to upgrade to the 2026 CX-5 until a refresh brings them back. We don’t blame them.
2026 Mazda CX-5MazdaConsumer studies and feedback from drivers reflect an overwhelming preference for physical controls over touchscreen controls. Touchscreens demand more attention than knobs or switches, which are typically easier to locate and use by feel. There is no muscle memory for non-tactile controls; you are forced to take your eyes off the road and onto the screen in order to find them, and there’s no guarantee that you’ll hit what you’re aiming for. Mazda says that the new CX-5 continues the driver-centric focus by providing an enhanced voice command experience, but statistics show that only about 17 percent of American drivers use voice commands to execute vehicular functions. That number is sure to grow, but it doesn’t represent the vast majority of drivers.
2026 Mazda CX-5MazdaMazda further justifies the shift as a way to offer better software integration, faster response times, and smarter features through Google’s connected services. In doing so, the brand also aligns itself with competitors like Volvo, Honda, and GM, all of which have adopted Google-based infotainment systems in recent years. This trend could be upended by regulatory pressure, though. Case in point,beginning in 2026, Euro NCAP (the European car safety assessment program) will begin docking safety points for vehicles that fail to provide physical buttons for essential functions like climate control and hazard lights. Mazda may find itself forced to reintroduce some tactile elements just to maintain strong safety ratings in Europe and potentially North America.
2026 Mazda CX-5Final thoughts
While the 2026 CX‑5 is undoubtedly more connected and feature-rich, the tradeoff between elegant design and practical, everyday usability is already generating debate. On the upside, the interface looks clean and modern. It offers better voice control through Google Assistant, potentially allowing drivers to manage tasks hands-free. However, drivers will essentially have to learn a new system, lose tactile feedback, and take their eyes off the road more frequently.
Many loyal Mazda owners who have stuck with Mazda because of its great physical controls may look elsewhere, as others, like Toyota, still have their latest models, like the 2026 RAV4, outfitted with switchgear. That said, younger, tech-forward customers may be drawn to the CX-5 for the same reasons Mazda loyalists may leave. For them, the CX‑5’s digital dashboard and Google-native systems may have been a long time coming.
The 2026 Mazda CX-5's interior comes as a bit of a surprise, as many automakers are shifting in the other direction by returning to physical controls. This new cabin philosophy for Mazda is unlike any of the brand's current models, and it could set the tone for the rest of the lineup. On the other hand, the fully digital experience might be short-lived for the brand with customer pushback, regulatory pressure, and safety concerns. We will have to give our assessment once we get to review the 2026 Mazda CX-5 for ourselves.
Will Mazda Face Buyer Backlash for the 2026 CX-5's Touchscreen Controls? first appeared on Autoblog on Jul 15, 2025
This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Jul 15, 2025, where it first appeared.
